If enjoy relaxing at a yoga retreat in Bali, Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala, or praying to gods in far off temples, you may just be a spiritual traveler.
Today, there are endless travel experiences that fall under what could be considered “spiritual travel”. Whether it’s seeking out religious festivals or finding solace alone beneath a remote waterfall, there are many places that can make you believe in the spiritual world.
Spiritual travel can mean different things to different travelers. But even for those who may not be religious or spiritual, there are certain destinations which have the power to bring about raw emotion and really move you in many different ways.
Both man-made sites like Angkor Wat, as well as natural landmarks with a long association with humanity like Uluru, have an almost unexplainable aura of wonder that seem to attract visitors from all over the world.
Here are a few great spiritual places you may want to visit. With an open mind and respect for other faiths and beliefs, there is no end to how much travel can enlighten you to the world around you.
Love Psychics and Spirituality? Here Are 5 Places You Must Visit if You Believe in the Power of Spirits
Machu Picchu, Peru
A 15th-century citadel built for the Inca emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu has been luring spiritual travelers ever since an American explorer Hiram Bingham brought it to the world’s attention when he rediscovered the “lost” city which was otherwise only known to exist by locals.
The site where Machu Picchu was built was considered sacred to the Inca and many surviving cultures in the Andes continue to believe that spirits inhabit the region. Machu Picchu itself features a number of temples, shrines, and sacrificial altars, many of which were strategically aligned to important astronomical events.
Considered to be one of the New 7 Wonders Of The World, Machu Picchu is said to have been at the center of a connected chain of holy sites and today’s metaphysicists claim that it is one of the many energy vortexes on earth.
Most travelers on the other hand are simply left in awe by the sheer natural beauty of the site along with its impressive architecture for the time period it was constructed.
Some notable areas of Machu Picchu which are said to be sources of spiritual energy include the Intihuatana Clock Rock which is said to bring vitality, the Guardian’s House where many come to do yoga for its healing energy, and the Intipunku Sun Gate which was the point of access to the citadel through which the sun passes through during the summer solstice.
In addition to the Machu Picchu Citadel, there are also hot mineral baths located in Aguas Calientes not far away. These baths are said to rid the body of toxins and aid with ailments such as rheumatism and high blood pressure.
Sedona, Arizona
Native Americans have always held Sedona sacred, but it’s now believed that this desert town is hotspot for so-called “vortexes” which are areas of the Earth which are alive with energy.
These vortexes are said to be able to inspire people or help them to recharge their own energy, and today, Sedona is filled with eclectic shops and services that have capitalized on the whole vortex energy idea.
You can find shops selling crystals, metaphysical bookstores, aura-reading stations, reiki masters, psychics, massage therapists, spiritual counselors, and shamans. Seeing travelers engage in meditation or yoga near notable vortex areas of Sedona is quite common as well.
Most of Sedona’s vortex sites are easily accessible and include places like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, and Boynton Canyon.
Each site is said to offer its own unique energy and many people seek the sites out in a search of spiritual renewal or purification. You’ll even find vortex tours being offered in this town known as the “cathedral without walls”.
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious places on earth and one of the United Kingdom’s greatest prehistoric sites. Located less than 100 miles west of London, it is claimed by many that Stonehenge has great spiritual energy and that it radiates healing powers.
Archeologists suggest that Stonehenge was once an astronomical site that may have been used as a sort of Neolithic calendar. The famous circle of bluestones, some of which stand 13 feet tall and weigh 25 tons, is said to date back to as early as 3000 BC.
An ancient timber building at the site is said to predate Stonehenge and was likely used for a range of spiritual rituals.
Added to the mystery and spirituality of Stonehenge is the fact it was once also a burial place where thousands of cremated bones have been uncovered by archeologists. The site is especially popular with spiritual travelers during the summer and winter solstices.
Cassadaga, Florida
Florida is home to many weird and crazy things including Disney World, gators, and even a Tiger King, so it should come as no surprise that one of its towns has the honor of being known as the “Psychic Capital of the World”.
The small town of Cassadaga may only be a short drive from Orlando, but it feels a world away. The town has a large community of psychics and mediums who call the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp home.
The camp was founded all the way back in the late 1800s by a man from New York who was a trance medium. Today it offers visitors a range of seminars and workshops that teach spiritualism and the idea of continuity of life.
The town itself is filled with haunted building like the 1920s-era Cassadaga Hotel, crystal healing beds, spiritualism book stores, and of course plenty of physics. Some also believe Cassadaga was the home of the devil and that satanic rituals and human sacrifice have taken place here in the past.
Whether you’re into spiritualism or just simply curious, one thing is for sure: A trip to Cassadaga is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Temple Circuit, Japan
Japan is full of temples and shrines, and the country offers up a number of spiritual pilgrimages that pass by many of the most notable temples as well as plenty of Japan’s natural beauty.
One such pilgrimage is the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route which like Spain’s Camino de Santiago is recognized by UNESCO.
The Kumano Kodo has been used by monks for centuries to reach various holy sites and today is recognized as a place of rebirth. Located in the southern Kansai region, the network of trails link three Shinto shrines including the Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha.
Japan also offers up the much longer Shikoku Pilgrimage on the island of Shikoku which can take a month or two to complete. This pilgrimage takes in 88 official Buddhist temples and other sacred sites, which are linked by a 1,200-kilometer circuit.
The smaller 70-kilometer Kyoto Isshu Trail takes you into the mountains surrounding Kyoto and passes by three of the region’s most sacred shrines and temples including Enryaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, and Fushimi Inari Taisha which is known for its thousands of torii gates.
While the on-going pandemic may make it difficult for you to visit any of the places listed above right now, you may wish to check out online platforms to have all your spiritual and healing needs fulfilled.
You can search for the best love and relationship psychics by Googling great love psychics review or seek out sites that will help you find ways to incorporate spiritual practice into your daily life.